What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 242

‘Acting King’? That was Werner Venetian, wasn’t it? Did the title change to Princess Elissa?

What’s going on in the Divine Nation?

“A nation that plotted to kill a vassal of another country sends a letter at a strange time.”

“……”

“It wouldn’t be a congratulatory message.”

‘We’re not close enough to celebrate each other’s birthdays,’ Emperor Frederick sharply added.

The audience chamber fell silent, as if doused in cold water.

Indeed. The trial taking place in the audience chamber was neither light nor simple.

The great noble, Simon de Sarnese, betrayed his lord and nation.

Under the orders of the enemy kingdom’s royal family, he attempted to murder me, a Marquis, and in the process, slandered several of the Emperor’s vassals.

He even committed murder and violence to cover his tracks.

He impersonated the Imperial Capital Defense Force and the Imperial Guard to wield military power.

It was all high treason and serious crimes.

For the Emperor, the Divine Nation trying to say something at this timing was bound to be displeasing.

Even an excuse would be unpleasant, and denying it wouldn’t end with simple anger.

If they were completely unaware of the current situation, that in itself would be enough to cause distrust.

The Crown Prince and I exchanged glances. His orange eyes flickered slightly.

Did he sense the unease I felt?

Honestly, it wouldn’t be strange if a battle broke out right now. You’re nervous too, aren’t you?

“Yes. Judging by the absence of a gift, it does not seem to be a birthday letter. However, it was urgently transmitted through the Papal States. The messenger was Count Roseharder, a close aide to King Christiana.”

The messenger bowed respectfully and reported.

The surname ‘Roseharder’ caused the Archbishops to exchange glances, creating a stir.

After being possessed, I mainly focused on adapting to Liester and studying, so my knowledge of Venetian affairs was relatively weak.

Still, I feel like I’ve heard of Roseharder somewhere. Did I read it in a history book?

The Emperor frowned.

“Is that the family of the ‘High Priest of the Rose Garden’?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Come to think of it, the Archbishop has been enjoying his visits to the Papal States.”

His sharp gaze swiftly caught Eugene Kessie.

It was like a cheetah in the savanna, not forgetting its prey.

The old man flinched and lowered his head. His husky voice became even lower.

“Present the Princess’s letter to the Cardinal. I will not read it now.”

“I obey Your Majesty’s command.”

The young knight paid his respects and stood up. Everyone’s eyes followed him.

The young man was carrying the Imperial flag and a leather bag on his armor-covered back. He carefully supported the bag with both hands, handing it to his mentor’s attendant.

After exchanging greetings, she took a purple scroll from the bag and presented it to Natalie.

It was a silk fabric with an elegant pattern, quite different from the Liester coat of arms.

It was the same as the letter I received from Christiana last time.

However, it had rich platinum-colored tassels on both ends, and there were no gold or jewel decorations.

So, is that the symbol of the Acting King?

“Resume the trial.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At the Emperor’s words, Lady Elizabeth immediately nodded.

Duke Sarnese took a deep breath and straightened his posture.

Kessie was now trembling all over, like someone suffering from a seizure.

The spirit to demand that he be spared the death penalty was nowhere to be found.

“Eugene Kessie acted as a spy for the Divine Nation, traveling between the Empire and the Papal States, and received direct orders from the enemy’s Cardinal. After carrying out the instructions, he received payment in the Papal States’ carriage. He exploited the fact that I cannot inspect the Pope’s assets. Helping the Duke’s plot was no coincidence, let alone an accidental act.”

“Ha, ha… What on earth was I thinking…”

Kessie’s muttering was heard. The color drained from the faces of the priests, who gaped.

Some complained of dizziness and nausea.

They seemed greatly shocked by the fact that someone who had prayed and preached with them had sold out the country.

My mentor was unfolding the Princess’s scroll.

I peeked out to observe her expression, but the Emperor’s partner, as always, did not reveal any clues.

“This is what you testified to the Imperial Guard last night. Do you admit your guilt?”

“What was I thinking when I said such things…!”

His head turned sharply.

Kessie was not repenting his sins but regretting his confession. It was appalling.

‘What nonsense are you saying!’ Even as the watching great nobles tried to stop him, the old woman did not stop.

She screamed in a rough voice, shook her gray hair wildly, and blamed herself.

“You fool. You readily believed the promise to spare you! What made you cling so easily to the runaway princess and spill everything! Eugene!”

“Sir Archbishop!”

“My money! My years! Why did I climb all the way up here with such tenacity!”

“Good heavens. He’s out of his mind!”

“Aaaaaah!”

-Thud! Thud! Thud!

The woman knelt and slammed her forehead against the ground.

Christel in the witness seat quickly moved to hide Eva in her arms.

Maria and Therese also buried their faces in their brother and sister’s shoulders, and Baroness Anne Berang closed her eyes, hugging her sobbing daughter.

‘I should have run away! I should have just run away!’ Thud! Thud! Thud! The mad cries continued.

The wrinkled face instantly became covered in blood. It was a gruesome sight.

I covered my mouth with my trembling hand. I could feel the vibration of my lips.

“You dimwitted Eugene Kessie! After decades of maneuvering in high society! You believed such a sentence as it is!”

Thud! Thud!

“Keep going.”

“Agh! I’d rather be stuck in the countryside…”

Kessie stopped screaming and suddenly looked up at the Emperor.

The whites of his eyes, stained with blood, were red.

The blood that dripped from his chin stained the same-colored carpet.

I fixed my gaze on the tip of Crown Prince Cedric’s boots. It was a difficult scene to watch.

“It’s not bad to die like that. I have nothing to lose.”

“……”

“Because executions cost money.”

The Emperor’s voice was chillingly indifferent.

It was neither coaxing nor persuasive, and it was neither overly cold nor encouraging.

It was just dry and indifferent, as if he didn’t care what happened to the traitor’s end.

“Heeuh…”

Kessie let out a sigh like a sob and stopped harming himself.

He groped the floor with his emaciated hands, as if overcome with dizziness.

No one came forward to wipe away the sinner’s blood.

The Emperor clicked his tongue and continued.

“For the time being, the entry of Imperial clergy into the Papal States is prohibited. All foreign priests in the country will be deported within one month. This is an Imperial order.”

“Ah……”

“……”

A cold silence swept through the audience chamber. I blinked.

This was a huge announcement.

The Empire and the Divine Nation were in a state of complete severance, but religious exchanges were an exception.

Even John and Sant, who are now naturalized, came to the Empire as members of the Papal States.

The fact that Herrit was able to reach this place safely was also the result of effectively using the acolyte system [a system where young religious devotees travel and learn].

Noble children also received religious education there for several years, so it goes without saying.

The Papal States had always served as a bridge for communication between the two countries, and this channel had never been closed since the war era.

So, this could be interpreted as a bad sign.

“Your Majesty.”

One of the Archbishops spoke cautiously. It was a face I had seen at the annual prayer meeting.

“An old man dares to say a word. Historically, cutting off relations with the Papal States is,”

“It won’t last long. It’s to block external factors until internal control is complete.”

“I understand.”

The old man obediently stepped back.

Since the elder readily agreed, and given the situation, none of the clergy voiced further opposition.

It seemed like an issue that had already been discussed between the Emperor and the Cardinal.

The monarch leaned back in his seat and loosened his cravat slightly.

“Continue.”

“Yes. Next is witness Baron Fabrice Berang. The Baron was falsely accused of plotting treason with propaganda produced by the Duke, and slandered with allegations of smuggling and raising child soldiers from the Divine Nation…”

The Deputy Commander of the Guard faithfully continued the trial. At that moment, the attendant Natalie quietly approached me.

“Your Highness, Prince Yeseo.”

“Yes, Natalie.”

“His Eminence the Cardinal requests your presence.”

My mentor? I looked at the Cardinal with a puzzled expression.

I still couldn’t read any information in his subtle beige eyes.

I quietly got up and moved to the highest seat.

As the Crown Prince’s gaze followed me, I mouthed, ‘I’ll be right back, Brother.’

I doubt he understood. But did Elissa tell him about me?

“Did you call for me?”

“My dear disciple. Have you been unwell in the past few months?”

My mentor looked up at me and whispered kindly. Huh?

“Um… Does that exclude portal sickness or heatstroke?”

“Yes, exclude those.”

“What about when my ether was blocked?”

“Let’s exclude that too.”

“I’ve been very healthy.”

I answered immediately. The Cardinal tilted his head.

“Have you ever been sick alone and gotten over it?”

“Then there are people who would scold me. It’s impossible.”

I smiled as I recalled Benjamin and Ganael.

With Dduk-sim and the troublemakers, it was rare to have completely alone time these days.

There was no chance to be sick.

I originally had decent stamina and strength, and Prince Yeseo’s body had similar conditions.

It’s just that I’m sensitive to the weather.

“I think so too, but the Princess seems to think otherwise.”

“Pardon?”

She whispered and showed me the scroll.

A familiar handwriting. It was the same handwriting as the note ‘Wisil’ had sent me.

‘…I have received the sad news that my brother has been unjustly accused in Your Majesty’s land. I trust that you are well aware of the perfectly reasonable fact that Prince Yeseo, before being a hostage, is the son of His Majesty the noble King Christiana, and therefore has the privilege of not being detained on any charges unless there is clear evidence of treason, murder, or corresponding major crimes. He also enjoys the permanent qualification to receive the highest level of defense and protection on the continent…’

Ugh, she finally heard the news. I pursed my lips and read the letter.

As there is a huge physical distance between the two countries, Elissa seemed to only know the information from the early stages of the incident.

The carefully written letters were filled with deep concern and affection.

‘However, before such measures are implemented, I have determined that the Prince is in a physical state where he cannot protect himself there. This is a private matter of the Venetian royal family, so it is difficult to report to Your Majesty in detail…’

Wait a minute. ‘A physical state where he cannot protect himself’? Me?

“Wasn’t the embezzlement of gifts under the Duke’s jurisdiction?”

“How can a person live with such two faces?”

“To pass off an unsolved case as the Baron’s crime!”

To make matters worse, the courtroom became noisy.

I looked up with a confused gaze.

Baron Berang, who was standing as a witness, had a very sad expression.

The Duke stared blankly at somewhere on the floor and testified slowly.

“The theft of gifts… was the work of Victoire D’Andrez. But at the time, there was no thief by that name.”

“Victoire? Are you talking about Madame Victoire?”

At the questioning of a noble, the man nodded. I hurriedly rummaged through ‘Gaga Bag’.

My mentor looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Her business card was found at the scene… But at the time, no one knew her identity. There were traces of something being buried and dug up, but that was all. There were no witnesses, so there was no way to find the huge amount of cash that the innkeeper had extorted. I told His Majesty that the case was showing signs of becoming prolonged. But…”

“Not long after, a phantom thief with the same name appeared, and by autumn, her exploits had spread to the capital.”

“Yes.”

The Count coldly took the words, and the Duke weakly affirmed.

“By that time, I had already received the order. Just in case, I left the case unsolved.”

“You were thinking of using that as a card as well?”

It was a sharp question. The man opened his mouth, dripping pus from his burn wounds.

“It’s a common method in high society. To bring up and exaggerate something that passed very trivially, something that no one remembers… Any great noble could easily come up with that idea.”

“Don’t disparage other great nobles in that way. Accept your sins as your own.”

‘Don’t even dream of rationalizing it!’ I burst out, agitated.

Everyone was surprised and looked this way. I unfolded the notebook I was holding.

It wasn’t mine.

“The timing of your search of the village of Lucas was in late May. Here, this is the diary of Henriette D’Andrez, the first Victoire. I received it as a memento.”

“……”

His mouth opened as if he couldn’t believe it. Of course, he wouldn’t know.

This was the responsibility of my friends and me. It was a case taken on by the ‘Bakery Detective Agency’.

“There’s no kind mention of when she stole what. If there were, His Majesty wouldn’t have given this to me. Instead, there’s this: ‘May 15, 1613 of the Holy Calendar. I’m on my way up after watching the great demon beast subjugation. Today, I’m staying in a place called Lucas. All the residents burst into laughter at our clowning. It was the first time I received a gift of a flower basket. They said they wanted to share the joy in the village.’”

I read Henriette’s writing aloud. Christel and I made eye contact.

We were clearly recalling the same spring day.

I tried to maintain my composure and recited the diary from a few days later.

“‘May 20th. I finally arrived at the sea. I heard that Sarnese is a prosperous land, but the bottom is no different from my hometown. This time, I gave a flower basket as a gift.’”

“……”

A very long silence flowed.

I looked straight at the Duke, and he stared at me with the most foolish expression in the world.

I was choked with pure anger. But there was something I had to say.

“Madame Victoire stole that money to help the poor in your territory. But you tried to smear the deceased with infamous accusations of plotting treason.”

The case he had covered up for the future was the only theft record Henriette had left behind during her lifetime.